Marine machine type communication device

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to methodologies, systems, and devices for monitoring metrics associated with a marine vessel. A marine monitoring system includes a machine type communication (MTC) server; a computing device in communication with the MTC server; a user application residing on the computing device; and a marine electronic device located at a marine vessel. The marine electronic device is in communication with the MTC server, and is configured to connect to one or more wired or wireless marine sensors.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure generally relates to sensors, and moreparticularly to marine sensors and a machine type communication (MTC)device.

BACKGROUND

With a wide range of potential applications, MTC or machine-to-machine(M2M) communication is gaining a tremendous interest among mobilenetwork operators, equipment vendors, MTC specialist companies, andresearch bodies.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the innovation in orderto provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended toneither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineatethe scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some conceptsof the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

According to one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a systemincluding a machine type communication (MTC) server; a computing devicein communication with the MTC server; a user application residing on thecomputing device; and a marine electronic device located at a marinevessel. The marine electronic device is in communication with the MTCserver, and is configured to connect to one or more wired or wirelessmarine sensors. In some embodiments, the marine electronic deviceincludes a status LED, a digital input, a remote battery control,location technology, analog and digital outputs, a temperature sensorinput, a back-up battery, an antenna, a GPS unit, a terminal connectorfor wired sensors, a wireless transceiver for wireless sensors, anexternal GPS antenna, or a satellite transceiver. In some embodiments,the wired or wireless marine sensors include a GPS position sensor, ageo-fence sensor, a battery monitoring sensor, an engine metrics sensor,a bilge sensor, a security sensor, a shore power sensor, a temperaturesensor, or a remote switching sensor. In some embodiments, the userapplication is configured to receive user input, including geo-fencingparameters and security parameters. In some embodiments, the userapplication is configured to transmit an alert to a user if the marinevessel enters or leaves a designated area. In some embodiments, themarine electronic device is configured to track the location of themarine vessel, and the user application is configured to transmit analert to a user if the anchor drags. In some embodiments, the wired orwireless marine sensors include a bilge sensor configured to monitorbilge pump activity and bilge water level. In some embodiments, the userapplication is configured to transmit an alert to a user if the bilgepump runs more frequently or longer than average.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a methodof monitoring metrics associated with a marine vessel. The methodincludes monitoring one or more marine sensors associated with themarine vessel using a marine electronic device located at a marinevessel. The method also includes communicating sensor data received fromthe marine sensors from the marine electronic device to a remote server.The method also includes analyzing the sensor data at the remote server;and transmitting marine sensor information from the remote server to acomputing device in communication with the remote server. The computingdevice includes a user application configured to provide the marinesensor information to a user. In some embodiments, the marine sensorinformation includes a notification regarding one or more of thefollowing metrics: rotations per minute, temperature, pressure, fuelconsumption, summary of alerts, alert history, fuel level, water level,bilge level, bilge pump activity, battery level, vessel security, andvessel location. In some embodiments, the user application is alsoconfigured to allow a user to provide user parameters including ageo-fence, marine sensor threshold values, marine vessel itineraries,and security parameters. In some embodiments, the remote server is alsoconfigured to analyze the sensor data according to the user-providedparameters; and the user application is configured to generate anotification if the sensor data does not conform to the user-providedparameters.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a methodof monitoring metrics associated with a marine vessel comprising. Themethod includes reading a data bus that is in communication with aplurality of marine sensors by a marine electronic device. The methodalso includes generating unique data channels within the firmware of themarine electronic device corresponding to each sensor or type of sensorsin communication with the data bus. The method also includes generatingunique data channels within a remote server in communication with themarine electronic device corresponding to each sensor or type of sensorsin communication with the data bus. In some embodiments, the data bus isan NMEA 2000 Control Area Network (CAN) based data bus. In someembodiments, the method also includes generating unique applicationexperiences, via a user application residing on a computing device incommunication with the remote server, wherein the unique applicationexperiences correspond to each sensor or type of sensors incommunication with the data bus. In some embodiments, the userapplication is configured to provide to a user, via a graphical userinterface (GUI), indicators related to one or more of the followingmetrics: rotations per minute, temperature, pressure, fuel consumption,summary of alerts, alert history, fuel level, water level, bilge level,bilge pump activity, battery level, vessel security, and vessellocation.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a marineelectronic device including a main circuit board; a status LED; adigital input; and a remote battery control. In some embodiments, themarine electronic device also includes location technology; analog anddigital outputs; and a temperature sensor input. In some embodiments,the marine electronic device also includes a back-up battery; anantenna; and a GPS unit. In some embodiments, the marine electronicdevice also includes a terminal connector for wired sensors; and awireless transceiver to support sensors. In some embodiments, the marineelectronic device also includes an external GPS antenna; and a satellitetransceiver.

It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing conceptsand additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided suchconcepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being partof the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, allcombinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of thisdisclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subjectmatter disclosed herein. It should also be appreciated that terminologyexplicitly employed herein that also may appear in any disclosureincorporated by reference should be accorded a meaning most consistentwith the particular concepts disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the drawingsprimarily are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limitthe scope of the inventive subject matter described herein. The drawingsare not necessarily to scale; in some instances, various aspects of thesubject matter disclosed herein may be shown exaggerated or enlarged inthe drawings to facilitate an understanding of different features. Inthe drawings, like reference characters generally refer to like features(e.g., functionally similar and/or structurally similar elements).

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary MTC environment,according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary MTC architecture, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary voltage tail, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an exemplary bilge pump tail, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate an exemplary temperature sensor, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate exemplary dimensions of a marine electronicdevice, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate exemplary dimensions of an alternative marineelectronic device, according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for monitoringmetrics associated with a marine vessel, according to an exemplaryembodiment

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary method formonitoring metrics associated with a marine vessel, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary method formonitoring metrics associated with a marine vessel, according to anexemplary embodiment.

The features and advantages of the present disclosure will become moreapparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken inconjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various conceptsrelated to, and embodiments of, methodologies, apparatus and systems formonitoring metrics associated with a marine vessel. It should beappreciated that various concepts introduced above and discussed ingreater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as thedisclosed concepts are not limited to any particular manner ofimplementation. Examples of specific implementations and applicationsare provided primarily for illustrative purposes.

As used herein, the term “includes” means includes but is not limitedto. The term “including” means including but not limited to. The term“based on” means based at least in part on.

Machine Type Communications (MTC) or Machine-to-Machine (M2M)communications enable direct communications from electronic devices to acentral MTC server, or a set of MTC servers. Communications can use bothwireless and fixed networks, in some embodiments. MTC enables a widerange of applications in many domains, impacting different environmentsand markets. These communication techniques can connect a potentialnumber of electronic devices to the Internet and other networks, formingthe so-called Internet of Things (IOT).

The marine environment is harsh and poses a number of non-trivialchallenges not faced by other fields. Moisture, temperature, salt, andmany other marine-specific factors can damage marine electronic devices.Marine devices and sensors are also tasked with measuring and trackingnumerous marine specific factors and variables.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary MTC environment,according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This diagramillustrates how an MTC environment involves one or more entities that donot necessarily need human interaction. In this exemplary block diagram,one or more MTC servers 103 are in communication with a computing device105, one or more electronic devices 111, 113, 115, 117, and a database131 via a network 101. As will be appreciated, the one or more servers103, computing device 105 and/or database 131 can be local or remote,and various distributed or centralized configurations may beimplemented, and in some embodiments a single computing device or servercan be used. In exemplary embodiments, the computing device 105 caninclude a user application 107 through which a user can communicate withthe system and provide information or user input.

In exemplary embodiments, the various electronic devices 111-117 can bein communication with, or can include, one or more sensors 121-127 inorder to monitor various metrics. These sensors can include, forexample, GPS sensors, Geo-Fence sensors, battery monitoring sensors,engine metrics sensors, bilge sensors, security sensors, shore powersensors, temperature sensors, remote switching sensors, depth finders,environmental sensors, fluid tank sensors, etc. The one or more servers103, computing device 105, and one or more electronic devices 111-117can communicate with each other and with the database 131, where sensordata 133 can be stored.

In exemplary embodiments, the computing device 105 may include, but isnot limited to, smart phones, tablets, netbooks, laptops, computers,general purpose computers, wireless devices, portable devices, wearablecomputers, cellular or mobile phones, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, game consoles, and the like. The oneor more servers 103, computing device 105, and one or more electronicdevices 111-117 may connect to network 101 via a wired or wirelessconnection. The communication network 101 may include, but is notlimited to, the Internet, an intranet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a CAN(Controller Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a MAN(Metropolitan Area Network), a wireless network, an optical network, andthe like. In one embodiment, the one or more servers 103, computingdevice 105, and one or more electronic devices 111-117 can transmitinstructions to each other over the communication network 101.

The one or more servers 103 and/or computing device 105 may include oneor more non-transitory computer-readable media for storing one or morecomputer-executable instructions (such as but not limited to software orfirmware) for implementing any example method according to theprinciples described herein. The non-transitory computer-readable mediacan include, but are not limited to, one or more types of hardwarememory, non-transitory tangible media (for example, one or more magneticstorage disks, one or more optical disks, one or more USB flashdrives),and the like. For example, memory included in the one or more servers103 and/or computing device 105 can store computer-readable andcomputer-executable instructions or software for implementing exemplaryembodiments and programmed to perform processes described herein.

In exemplary embodiments, the user application 107 enables an MTC userto activate a geo-fence and receive position updates in the event theboat is moved or stolen. A customizable geo-fence can also function asan electronic anchor watch, alerting the user if the anchor drags.

In exemplary embodiments, the user application 107 can also enableremote switching, giving the user an ability to control onboard systems,such as cabin and cockpit lights, air conditioning, battery switches,and more. The electronic devices 111-117 can also be configured to soundan alarm or activate a strobe light in the event there is a criticalevent on a boat, such as high water in the bilge or unauthorized entry.The user application 107 can also provide graphic engine alert warningswith date and time indicators, highlighting the engine performance atthe time of an alert. The user application 107 can track multipleengines. The user application 107 can also provide a listed summary ofalert events, along with the time and date for easy look-up. In someembodiments, the user application 107 can include graphic real timeengine on/off status, graphic indicators of fuel used at RPM and totalfuel used over a selectable time, instant engine data refresh, a graphicfluid level display for multi-tank fuel, water, and waste tanks. Theuser application 107 can also enable alert forwarding to serviceproviders or emergency responders. Notifications and alerts provided bythe user application 107 can be grouped or prioritized by boat, byfleet, by alert type, by day, or by any other desirable filter.

In some embodiments, the electronic devices 111-117 can each beinstalled on one or more marine vessels or boats, with each electronicdevice being in communication with a number of sensors 121-127 aboardtheir respective boats. Thus, a single user application 107 on acomputing device 105 can simultaneously monitor a fleet of boats, andmetrics associated with each boat within the fleet, as long as each boatincludes at least one electronic device connected to the computingdevice 105 via the network 101. In some cases, if connection between amarine electronic device and the computing device 105 and/or server 103fails, the connection can be restored at a later time andcommunications/data can be updated.

In exemplary embodiments, the electronic devices 111-117 can be incommunication with the sensors 121-127 via a NMEA 200 CAN bus, or othersuitable communication standard. In some embodiments, the marineelectronic device can create new manufacture data channels on the marineelectronic device, and the server 103 can create new data channels, foreach sensor compatible with the CAN bus. This can empower NMEA devicemanufacturers to produce compatible devices. In some embodiments, userapplication 107 can also create a unique application experience on thecomputing device for each sensor or type of sensor compatible with theCAN bus. Example features that can be customized may include, forexample, RPM, temperature, pressure, fuel consumption, etc. all of whichcan be plotted over a selectable time range. Example applicationexperience elements that can be generated or customized may includeautomatic GUI tile generation. For example, a GUI tile may appear viathe user application 107 automatically after 15 minutes of connectivitywith a particular sensor or type of sensors.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary MTC architecture, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. A waterproof marine electronicdevice 201 is illustrated in communications with a number of marinesensors 203-213. As will be appreciated, this MTC architecture isflexible, in that multiple wired and/or wireless sensors can be addedeasily to a single marine electronic device 201. The example sensorsshown in FIG. 2 include, but are not limited to, a battery monitoringsensor 203, engine metrics sensors 205, security sensors 207, bilgesensors 209, shore power sensors 211, and temperature sensors 218.

In exemplary embodiments, the waterproof marine electronic device 201may be affixed to an interior of a marine vessel. In one implementation,the marine electronic device 201 includes status LEDs (e.g., GPS(green)/cellular (red)), digital inputs, remote battery control,location technology (e.g., 56 channel GPS with SBAS), analog and digitaloutputs, temperature sensor input, etc. The marine electronic device 201may also include, in some embodiments, a back-up battery, cellular orsatellite connectivity (e.g., an internal antenna), GPS capability,terminal connectors for wired sensors, a wireless transceiver to supportwireless sensors. The marine electronic device 201 may also include oneor more of an external GPS antenna and/or satellite transceiver, in someembodiments.

The marine electronic device 201 may be communicatively linked to a MTCserver, which may be communicatively linked to a user computing device,as discussed above in reference to FIG. 1 . In exemplary embodiments,the marine electronic device 201 includes GPS tracking and geofencingthat enables the MTC user linked to an MTC server to track the locationand movements of a boat, and receive alerts if it leaves or enters adesignated area. Moreover, with the bread crumbing feature, the user canreview a complete history of where a boat has been.

In exemplary embodiments, the battery sensor 203 can monitor variousbatteries onboard a boat and send alerts when batteries fail or fallbelow a preset level. The system may generate an alert that can be sentto a user via the computing device if a battery fails or falls below thepreset level. The user application 107 discussed above in FIG. 1 canalso display current battery levels and voltages, in some embodiments.

In exemplary embodiments, the marine electronic device 201 may includeengine metrics sensors 205, such as, ignition or oil pressure gauges totrack engine hours. The system may generate an alert that can be sent toa user via the computing device, discussed above in FIG. 1 , if theignition is switched on. The user may also receive updates or reminderswhen the engine has logged a certain number of hours or is due for aservice.

In exemplary embodiments, the marine electronic device 201 can be incommunication with one or more security sensors 207. These securitysensors can detect entry or motion on a boat, or the movement of doorsor other fixtures on the boat. The marine electronic device 201 canconnect to a variety of boat security sensors 207, including motionsensors, magnetic switches, canvas snap sensors, pressurized mats, andmore. In addition to sending an alert through a user application 107,the marine electronic device 201 can automatically trigger an audiblealarm and send alerts to multiple recipients.

In exemplary embodiments, the marine electronic device 201 can be incommunication with a shore power sensor 211. The system may generate analert if the boat gets disconnected from shore power or if there is apower outage at the dock.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary voltage tail, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3A illustrates an exampleside view of the voltage tail, while FIG. 3B illustrates an example viewfrom above.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an exemplary bilge pump tail, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. The bilge pump activity and highwater sensor can enable the marine electronic device 201 to know howoften the bilge pump is running and if the water level has risen to adangerous level. FIG. 4A illustrates an example side view of the bilgepump tail, while FIG. 4B illustrates a view from above. This sensor canmeasure the run time and daily cycles of the bilge, in some embodiments,and send notifications if the pump runs more frequently or longer than anormal amount. A normal running time of a bilge pump is approximatelyone minute or less. In the event that the bilge pump stops working, orwater is coming in faster than can be pumped out, a high water alarm canprevent a major disaster. In addition to sending an alert to the userapplication 107, the sensor can be configured to automatically triggeran audible siren, strobe light, or other alarm.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate an exemplary temperature sensor, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, thetemperature sensor can enable a user to monitor the temperature of thecabin, engine room, bait locker, or fridge. Alerts can be sent if thetemperature exceeds or drops below preset levels, and temperaturehistory reports can be viewed via the user application 107, in someembodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate exemplary dimensions of a marine electronicdevice, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Theexample marine electronic device shown in FIGS. 6A-6C can be similar tothe one shown in FIG. 2 , and can be waterproof in order to withstandmarine environments. FIG. 6A shows a side view of the example device,while FIG. 6B shows a front view and FIG. 6C shows a view from above.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate exemplary dimensions of an alternative marineelectronic device, according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 7A shows a side view of the example device, while FIG.7B shows a front view and FIG. 7C shows a view from above. The examplemarine electronic device shown in FIGS. 7A-7C is an alternativeembodiment to the one shown in FIGS. 6A-6C with a smaller form factor.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for monitoringmetrics associated with a marine vessel, according to an exemplaryembodiment. It will be appreciated that the method can beprogrammatically performed, at least in part, by one or morecomputer-executable processes executing on, or in communication with,one or more servers or other computing devices such as those describedfurther below. In step 801, a marine electronic device monitors one ormore sensors associate with a marine vessel. As discussed above, themarine electronic device is located at the marine vessel, and can bemounted on the interior of the vessel. The sensors can include, forexample, a GPS position sensor, a geo-fence sensor, a battery monitoringsensor, an engine metrics sensor, a bilge sensor, a security sensor, ashore power sensor, a temperature sensor, or a remote switching sensor.

In step 803, the marine electronic device communicates the sensor datato a remote server that is in communication with the marine electronicdevice. In step 805, the remote server analyzes the sensor data. In someembodiments, the remote server can analyze data from a geo-fence sensoror a GPS position sensor in order to determine the location of thevessel. In other embodiments, the remote server can analyze bilge pumpactivity data in order to determine whether the bilge pump is operatinglonger or more frequently than average or expected.

In step 807, the remote server provides sensor information to a usercomputing device. The user computing device includes a user application,as discussed above, in order to provide information and receive commandsfrom a user, and the sensor information provided by the remote servercan include, for example, battery level status, engine status, alarmstatus, alarm history, location information, fuel level, etc.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary method formonitoring metrics associated with a marine vessel, according to anexemplary embodiment. It will be appreciated that the method can beprogrammatically performed, at least in part, by one or morecomputer-executable processes executing on, or in communication with,one or more servers or other computing devices such as those describedfurther below. In step 901, a marine electronic device monitors one ormore sensors associate with a marine vessel. As discussed above, themarine electronic device is located at the marine vessel, and can bemounted on the interior of the vessel. The sensors can include, forexample, a GPS position sensor, a geo-fence sensor, a battery monitoringsensor, an engine metrics sensor, a bilge sensor, a security sensor, ashore power sensor, a temperature sensor, or a remote switching sensor.

In step 903, the marine electronic device communicates the sensor datato a remote server that is in communication with the marine electronicdevice and a user computing device. The user computing device includes auser application, as discussed above, in order to provide informationand receive commands from a user. In step 905, the remote server canreceive user input, such as sensor threshold values or a geo-fencelocation. For example, the user can provide geo-fencing informationindicating that the vessel is to remain within a defined perimeter orgeo-fence. In other embodiments, the user input can include anindication that the vessel engine is to remain off during predeterminedtime periods, or that the lights onboard the vessel should be turned onor off on according to a defined schedule. All of these user inputs orparameters can bin input by the user via a user application on the usercomputing device, as discussed above.

In step 907, the remote server analyzes the sensor data according to theuser input received in step 905. For example, if the user has defined ageo-fence, the remote server can analyze the position information fromthe various sensors and determine whether the vessel has remained withinthe defined geo-fence. In another embodiment, if the user has defined atime period when the vessel engine should remain off, the remote servercan analyze engine information from the engine metrics sensors todetermine whether the user defined parameter has been followed.

In step 909, the remote server provides information to the computingdevice, such as an alert that the vessel has moved outside the definedgeo-fence, an alert that the engine was turned on at an incorrect time,or a status update indicating that the vessel is safe and no parametershave been broken. Additional information that can be provided to thecomputing device include historical temperature information, batterypower information, etc.

In step 911 sensor data, and any other information received or generatedby the remote server, can be stored in a database. In some embodiments,the database is a remote database in communication with the remoteserver via a wired or wireless network.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another exemplary method formonitoring metrics associated with a marine vessel, according to anexemplary embodiment. It will be appreciated that the method can beprogrammatically performed, at least in part, by one or morecomputer-executable processes executing on, or in communication with,one or more servers or other computing devices such as those describedfurther below. In step 1001, a marine electronic device reads a data busin communication with a plurality of marine sensors. As discussed above,the sensors can include, for example, a GPS position sensor, a geo-fencesensor, a battery monitoring sensor, an engine metrics sensor, a bilgesensor, a security sensor, a shore power sensor, a temperature sensor,or a remote switching sensor. In some embodiments, the data bus is aNMEA 2000 Control Area Network (CAN) based data bus.

In step 1003, unique data channels are generated within the firmware ofthe marine electronic device corresponding to each sensor or type ofsensors in communication with the data bus. In step 1005, unique datachannels are generated within a remote server in communication with themarine electronic device corresponding to each sensor or type of sensorsin communication with the data bus.

In describing example embodiments, specific terminology is used for thesake of clarity. For purposes of description, each specific term isintended to at least include all technical and functional equivalentsthat operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.Additionally, in some instances where a particular example embodimentincludes a plurality of system elements, device components or methodsteps, those elements, components or steps can be replaced with a singleelement, component or step. Likewise, a single element, component orstep can be replaced with a plurality of elements, components or stepsthat serve the same purpose. Moreover, while example embodiments havebeen shown and described with references to particular embodimentsthereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that varioussubstitutions and alterations in form and detail can be made thereinwithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. Further still, otheraspects, functions and advantages are also within the scope of thedisclosure.

Example flowcharts are provided herein for illustrative purposes and arenon-limiting examples of methodologies. One of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that example methodologies can include more or fewersteps than those illustrated in the example flowcharts, and that thesteps in the example flowcharts can be performed in a different orderthan the order shown in the illustrative flowcharts.

Additionally, in some instances where a particular example embodimentincludes a plurality of system elements, device components or methodsteps, those elements, components or steps may be replaced with a singleelement, component or step. Likewise, a single element, component orstep may be replaced with a plurality of elements, components or stepsthat serve the same purpose. Moreover, while example embodiments havebeen shown and described with references to particular embodimentsthereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that varioussubstitutions and alterations in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention. Further still, otheraspects, functions and advantages are also within the scope of thedisclosure.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be examples and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described. Inventive embodiments of thepresent disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system,article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, anycombination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials,kits, and/or methodologies, if such features, systems, articles,materials, kits, and/or methodologies are not mutually inconsistent, isincluded within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

Also, the technology described herein may be embodied as a method, ofwhich at least one example has been provided. The acts performed as partof the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly,embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an orderdifferent than illustrated, which may include performing some actssimultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrativeembodiments.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should beunderstood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification, should beunderstood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e.,elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctivelypresent in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should beconstrued in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements soconjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than theelements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used inconjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, inone embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B);in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements otherthan A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification, “or” should be understood to havethe same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, whenseparating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted asbeing inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also includingmore than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally,additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary,such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or “consisting of,” willrefer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list ofelements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only beinterpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the otherbut not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”

As used herein in the specification, the phrase “at least one,” inreference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood tomean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elementsin the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one ofeach and every element specifically listed within the list of elementsand not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.This definition also allows that elements may optionally be presentother than the elements specifically identified within the list ofelements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related orunrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,”“involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e.,to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases“consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed orsemi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in theUnited States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures,Section 2111.03.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a machine type communication(MTC) server; a computing device in communication with the MTC server; amarine electronic device located at a marine vessel and in communicationwith the MTC server, wherein the marine electronic device is configuredto connect to one or more wired or wireless marine sensors, andconfigured to communicate sensor data received from the one or moremarine sensors to the MTC server; and a user application residing on thecomputing device, the user application configured to provide the sensordata to a user and configured to receive one or more user parametersfrom the user and provide the user parameters to the server, wherein theserver is configured to analyze the sensor data and determine whetherthe sensor data is within the one or more user parameters, andconfigured to provide an alert to the user indicating that at least oneof the user parameters has been exceeded or that none of the userparameters has been exceeded.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein themarine electronic device includes one or more of: a status LED, adigital input, a remote battery control, location technology, analog anddigital outputs, a temperature sensor input, a back-up battery, anantenna, a GPS unit, a terminal connector for wired sensors, a wirelesstransceiver for wireless sensors, an external GPS antenna, or asatellite transceiver.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or morewired or wireless marine sensors include one or more of: a GPS positionsensor, a geo-fence sensor, a battery monitoring sensor, an enginemetrics sensor, a bilge sensor, a security sensor, a shore power sensor,a temperature sensor, or a remote switching sensor.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the user application residing on the computing deviceis configured to receive user input including geo-fencing parameters andsecurity parameters.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the userapplication residing on the computing device is configured to transmitan alert to a user if the marine vessel enters or leaves a designatedarea.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the marine electronic device isconfigured to track a location of the marine vessel, and the userapplication residing on the computing device is configured to transmitan alert to a user if the anchor drags.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein the one or more wired or wireless marine sensors include a bilgesensor configured to monitor bilge pump activity and bilge water level.8. The system of claim 7, wherein the user application residing on thecomputing device is configured to transmit an alert to a user if thebilge pump runs more frequently or longer than average.
 9. A method ofmonitoring metrics associated with a marine vessel comprising:monitoring, using a marine electronic device located at a marine vessel,one or more marine sensors associated with the marine vessel;communicating sensor data received from the one or more marine sensorsfrom the marine electronic device to a remote server; analyzing thesensor data at the remote server; transmitting marine sensor informationfrom the remote server to a computing device in communication with theremote server, the computing device including a user applicationconfigured to provide the marine sensor information to a user, toprovide the sensor data to a user, to receive one or more userparameters from the user and to provide the user parameters to theremote server, wherein the remote server is configured to analyze thesensor data and determine whether the sensor data is within the one ormore user parameters, and configured to provide an alert to the userindicating that at least one of the user parameters has been exceeded orthat none of the user parameters has been exceeded.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the marine sensor information includes a notificationregarding one or more of the following metrics: rotations per minute,temperature, pressure, fuel consumption, summary of alerts, alerthistory, fuel level, water level, bilge level, bilge pump activity,battery level, vessel security, and vessel location.
 11. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the user parameters include a geo-fence, marine sensorthreshold values, marine vessel itineraries, and security parameters.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the remote server is furtherconfigured to analyze the sensor data according to the user-providedparameters; and the user application is configured to generate anotification if the sensor data does not conform to the user-providedparameters.
 13. The method of claim 9 further comprising: reading a databus, by a marine electronic device, wherein the data bus is incommunication with a plurality of marine sensors; generating unique datachannels within a firmware of the marine electronic device correspondingto each sensor or type of sensors in communication with the data bus;and generating unique data channels within a remote server incommunication with the marine electronic device corresponding to eachsensor or type of sensors in communication with the data bus.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the data bus is an NMEA 2000 Control AreaNetwork (CAN) based data bus.
 15. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: generating unique application experiences, via a userapplication residing on a computing device in communication with theremote server, wherein the unique application experiences correspond toeach sensor or type of sensors in communication with the data bus. 16.The method of claim 13, wherein the user application is configured toprovide to a user, via a graphical user interface (GUI), indicatorsrelated to one or more of the following metrics: rotations per minute,temperature, pressure, fuel consumption, summary of alerts, alerthistory, fuel level, water level, bilge level, bilge pump activity,battery level, vessel security, and vessel location.
 17. A marineelectronic device comprising: a main circuit board; a status LED; adigital input; and a remote battery control, wherein the marineelectronic device is configured to be in communication with an MTCserver, to connect to one or more wired or wireless marine sensors, andto communicate sensor data received from one or more marine sensors tothe MTC server, wherein the MTC server is configured to analyze thesensor data and determine whether the sensor data is within one or moreuser parameters input by a user, and configured to provide an alert tothe user indicating that at least one of the user parameters has beenexceeded or that none of the user parameters has been exceeded.
 18. Themarine electronic device of claim 17 further comprising: locationtechnology; analog and digital outputs; and a temperature sensor input.19. The marine electronic device of claim 18 further comprising: aback-up battery; an antenna; and a GPS unit.
 20. The marine electronicdevice of claim 19 further comprising: a terminal connector for wiredsensors; and a wireless transceiver to support sensors.
 21. The marineelectronic device of claim 20 further comprising: an external GPSantenna; and a satellite transceiver.
 22. A system comprising: a machinetype communication (MTC) server; a computing device in communicationwith the MTC server; a plurality of marine electronic devices located ina plurality of marine vessels, the plurality of marine electronicdevices being in communication with the MTC server, wherein each of themarine electronic devices is configured to connect to one or more wiredor wireless marine sensors located at a corresponding one of theplurality of marine vessels, and configured to communicate sensor datareceived from the one or more marine sensors to the MTC server; and auser application residing on the computing device, the user applicationconfigured to provide the sensor data to a user so that the userapplication can monitor the sensors on the plurality of marine vessels.